Michael Kapla was born on September 19, 1994 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. A product of the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL, he would go on to spend four years at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Following his fourth collegiate season, Kapla signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Devils and would finish the 2016-17 season with the club. He would go to appear in five games as the season came to an end.